[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram loves the Lady Belle Isoult] For, as was said, it came about that in a little while Sir Tristram was healed of that grievous wound aforetold of so that he was able to come and go whithersoever he chose.  But always he would be with the Lady Belle Isoult, for Sir Tristram loved her with a wonderfully passionate regard.  And so likewise the lady loved Sir Tristram.  For if he loved her because she had saved his life, then she also loved him for the same reason.  For she did not ever forget how she had drawn out the head of that spear from the wound at his side, and of how he had groaned when she brought it forth, and of how the blood had gushed out of that wound.  Wherefore she loved him very aboundingly for the agony of pain she had one time caused him to suffer.

So they two fair and noble creatures were always together in bower or in hall, and no one in all that while wist that Sir Tramtris was Sir Tristram, and that it was his hand that had slain Sir Marhaus of Ireland.

So Sir Tristram was there in Ireland for a year, and in that time he grew to be altogether well and sturdy again.

[Sidenote:  Sir Palamydes cometh to Ireland] Now it was in those days that there came Sir Palamydes the Saracen knight to that place, who was held to be one of the very foremost knights in the world.  So great rejoicing was made over him because he had come thither, and great honor was shown to him by everyone.

But when Sir Palamydes beheld the Lady Belle Isoult and when he saw how fair she was, he came in a short while to love her with almost as passionate a regard as that with which Sir Tristram loved her, so that he also sought ever to be with her whenever the chance offered.

But Belle Isoult felt no regard for Sir Palamydes, but only fear of him, for all of her love was given to Sir Tristram.  Nevertheless, because Sir Palamydes was so fierce and powerful a knight, she did not dare to offend him; wherefore she smiled upon him and treated him with all courtesy and kindness although she loved him not, dissembling her regard for him.

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram is displeased] All this Sir Tristram beheld from aside and it displeased him a very great deal to see how Sir Palamydes was always beside the lady.  But Belle Isoult beheld how Sir Tristram was displeased, wherefore she took occasion to say to him:  “Tramtris, be not displeased, for what am I to do?  You know very well that I do not love this knight, but I am afraid of him because he is so fierce and so strong.”

To this Sir Tristram said:  “Lady, it would be a great shame to me if I, being by, should suffer any knight to come betwixt you and me and win your regard through fear of him.”

She said:  “Tramtris, what would you do?  Would you give challenge to this knight?  Lo, you are not yet entirely healed of your hurt, and Sir Palamydes is in perfect strength of body.  For indeed it is for you I am most of all afraid lest you and Sir Palamydes should come to battle and lest he should do you a harm before you are entirely healed.”